He also received a special award from the Chinese Air Force in recognition of outstanding personal and professional achievements in military aviation

Service Schools Attended:

ACFT Armament Apr 1943; Central Fire Control late 1943;

Military Specialty(ies):

MOS 960-Central Fire Control

Rank Upon Discharge:

Technical Sergeant

Crew Type:

Flight crew

Airplane Serial No.& Name:

42-63386 Globe Girdle Myrtle,42-63454 Thunder Bird

Were you a POW?

No

Were you interned?

No

Date Transferred from the 58th:

September 6, 1945

Date Discharged from the 58th:

October 5, 1945

Post-WWII Military Service:

Post-WWII Civilian Occupation(s):

Management of foreign subsidiaries

After a long business career in International Management, Louis and his wife, Rose, purchased a small theatrical costume business in Whippany, New Jersey which they developed into the largest in the state. At their retirement, Footlight Studio was sold to a national chain. In 2004, Rose and Louis moved to Atlanta to live with their daughter. Louis became a member of the World War II Roundtable, and participated in an Honor Flight to Washington DC for WWII veterans.

Thoughts on the 58th Bomb Wing:

WWII took a bewildered, naïve kid and made him into a naïve, bewildered private. The technical training I later received was given some purpose when I was assigned to the 58th. There was a feeling of pride in having been chosen to fly in what was really an experimental plane designed to do a revolutionary job. There is satisfaction in knowing that I contributed at least a little to the success of our mission. More than anything is the deep feeling of gratitude for having survived in one piece.

Pride for having done my part. Wouldn't want to do it again.

Comments:

Member of the Hump Pilots Association and received a special award from the Chinese Air Force in recognition of outstanding personal and professional achievements in military aviation.